Rainfed Agro-Ecosystem Production System Research Annual Report 2003- 04

Abstract

The rainfed agro ecosystem received very high priority in the production system research as these areas have been by passed by green revolution and need urgent attention to improve production, productivity and achieve sustainability. On-farm participatory research being the primary strategy in this eco system, nearly 3500 field trials were conducted during the year generating and validating many location specific technologies. Though kharif 2003-04 saw significant improvement in rainfall across the country compared to the worst drought of 2002, many areas and target districts covered by PSR projects still faced water deficits due to erratic rainfall distribution and therefore offered good opportunity to test technologies on natural resource management, cropping systems and crop diversification for the third successive year. Pooled analysis of 3 years data revealed significant gains in income and B:C ratios with technologies generated under the project as compared to farmer’s own practice. Not only the water harvesting technologies implemented on a field scale, but also simple in situ moisture conservation practices like conservation furrows and compartmental bunds proved their effectiveness on farmers fields in the dry semi arid zones. However, a number of operational and input related constraints continue to limit the adoption of these technologies at field level. In this context I am happy to note that linkages have been established between PSR, TAR-IVLP and ATMA projects in different states, which permitted replication of these technologies more widely. It is gratifying to note that more than a dozen technologies have emerged from PSR projects, which attracted the attention of private industry. The contract farming taken for sweet sorghum for ethanol production is an excellent example of the public-private partnership. Similarly, the improved jute variety Subala released for quality fibre would give a fillip to the jute based textile industry. Application of remote sensing technology in 12 pilot districts across the country revealed that satellite imageries can accurately locate and map conservation structures on the ground more effectively at lower cost. This will add significant value to the National Watershed Developmental Programme for Rainfed Areas (NWDPRA) in years to come. I compliment Dr.Y.S.Ramakrishna, AED and Dr.B.Venkateswarlu, PPSS for bringing out this excellent, self containing annual report for 2003-04 on the Rainfed Agro Eco system.